Mayo Young Fine Gael renew their call for cheaper pints and longer nights
Young Fine Gael is concerned over new figures showing that Ireland is now the second most expensive country in the EU with alcohol and hospitality prices among the highest in Europe.
Dean Kenny of Belcarra, and the North West Regional Organiser for Young Fine Gael, has said,
“While our economy in many ways is doing very well, our hospitality industry is being choked by measures that successive Government’s have taken in recent years.
It is no surprise to see rural pubs in towns and villages across County Mayo regularly shut their doors when you look at the recent figures from last week about how expensive it is for someone to go out and indulge on occasion with a nice meal or a few pints.
It is now out of the reach of many younger people to be able to afford to go out and enjoy themselves in a social setting at the weekend, while keeping on top of all the other bills, including rent, that they must fork out, even while on a moderate salary.
He added, “Government must act to reduce costs for punters, support the hospitality industry, and revitalise our nightlife."
Recent Eurostat data, reported in The Irish Times, shows that alcohol prices in Ireland are the most expensive in Europe, while restaurant and hotel prices are second highest - 29% above the EU average.
Ireland now has some of the highest prices in Europe for a night out, with the cost of a pint more than double the EU average and around one-third of that going directly to the State in taxes.
YFG President Jamie Malone added, "Measures like the reintroduction of the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector, abandoning minimum unit pricing, and reductions in excise duty are needed to address the spiralling costs in our night-time economy."
"It's also time that we bring Ireland's licensing laws out of the dark ages and align with our European counterparts to allow pubs and clubs to open later. This would further support the sector's trade but would also reinvigorate nightlife culture."
Excessive taxation, combined with measures such as Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP), is driving up costs for consumers, harming small businesses and rural pubs, and undermining Ireland's social and cultural life.
Young Fine Gael has consistently opposed MUP and strongly supports the retention of the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector as an essential step to help businesses survive and keep nights out affordable.